title: Osteoporosis: are healthcare professionals missing an opportunity.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of the current study is to analyze different approaches of pharmacists and general practitioners towards availability and use of osteoporosis prescreening tools and to find out reasons that explain non utilization of such tools in clinical practice.
  
  
  METHODS
  Among General practitioners and Community pharmacists in Pulau Penang, Malaysia.
  
  
  METHODS
  An explorative cross sectional study was carried out using convenience sampling approach. A pre-validated self- administered questionnaire was used to carry out the study. A total of 170 healthcare professionals participated in study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Evaluation of awareness, use and opinions of healthcare professionals regarding osteoporosis prescreening tools.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Response rate of study was 56%. The mean age of the participants was 39.00 + 7.89 years. Less than one third of participants were familiar with term prescreening tools or Clinical decision rules. The only osteoporosis prescreening tool that was recognized and used by majority of participants was FRAX. Participants agreed that low level of awareness regarding availability of prescreening tools poses hindrance in utilization of such tools in clinical practice. Majority of participants showed willingness to gain information and use such tools in future.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of our study demonstrate an urgent need of implementation of osteoporosis prescreening tools educational and awareness programs among healthcare professionals.
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University Sains Malaysia (USM), 11800 Pulau Penang, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Yusra Habib
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: Tauqeer Hussain
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Mallhi
authors.forename: Azmi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sarriff
authors.forename: Amer Hayat
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Khan